Orthopedic apparatus



Fe b. 28, 1928.

M.'J. SCHRAG ORTHOPEDIG APPARATUS :s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1926 INVETOR cZScirqg I v z zlsATTo M.J. SCHRAG ORTHOPEDIG APPARATUS Filed July 2. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 w m mam 6.9

lllllllll INVENTOR M v' v Patented Feb. 2a, 1928.

MARTIN J. sormne, or noonnstrnlt, NEW YORK;

ORTHOPEDIG APPARATUS Application filed July 2,

The present invention relates to orthopcdic apparatus and has for one object to provide improved means adapted to be applied to the human body to protect certain parts thereof whichmay be deformed, discased or injured'whereby correction or cure may be afforded by reducing or relieving the pressure or strain on said parts. i. I v A further object of the invention is to provide an improved leg and body support of the flexible type for use by persons having diseases of the spine or hip, or having fractured or diseased bones or joints or other defective parts requiring rest or relief from strain.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved articulated crutch or body support adapted to be secured to the with a strap or flexible member depending therefrom and forming in effect a sllng adapted to' extend between the legs of the user to constitute a support for the pelvis or v a portion of the hip whereby to reduce or relieve strain thereon. I

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at, the end of the specification.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a frontelevation illustrating, diagrammatically the application of the, invention to the human body;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 3 is a front elevation partly in sec tion of the lower portion of the crutch which extends'fro m the foot to the knee;

Figure t is a side elevation of the same;

Figure 5 is a front elevation partly in sec tion of the intermediate portion of the crutch which extends between the knee and the hip;

Figure 6 1s a side elevation of the same 1 Figure 7 1s a vertical section drawn to an 1926. Serial No. 120,054;

enlarged scale and taken on line 7 a of Figure v4;

F igure8 is a transverse section taken on line 8 8 of Figure 4;

or body section of the crutch; I

F gure 1071s a front elevation of the same; Figure 11 18 a vertical section on an ure 9-;

line l21 2 of Figure 9, and

Figure 9 is a sideelevation of the upper Figure 12 is a transverse section taken on enlarged scale takenon line' ll ll of Figi V Figure 13 is afragmentary side elevation f. illustratlng the actionof one of the hinged joints of the crutch. v

Similar reference numerals throughout the several views indicate the same parts.

, The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein by way, of illustration of the principles of the invention is in the form (of an articulated crutch and leg or body brace adapted to conform generallyto the contour of the body at the side thereof and arranged to be connected both with the leg and the body of the user preferably in the manner 7 shown in Figures 1 and 2,. V. a

The presentillustrationshows a device as used by a person having a short leg such asfrequently results from hip disease, and

includes the use of abuilt upv shoe as is. 11

tomary in such cases' Another important feature of the invention is the'provi'sion of a parts of which become automatically clamped together when returned to normal position, Furthermore, the. crutch is so designed that theshoe, to which itinay be until a portion of the weight is transferred to the shoulder or body of the user.

Referring to the drawings, the outline of a human figure is indicated, generally, by the numeral 110. The knee joints are indi cated at 11 and 12, the pelvis being outlined by the dotted linel3. A normal thigh ori hip joint is indicatedat 14: while a'fractured or diseased hip joint isi shown at 15'. These joints are shown as embodying. portions of the anatomy or parts of the body which series of self-locking orclamping joints ,-thef s secured, does not contact with the ground when injured or diseased are benefittedby the use of the presentinvention- The spinal I column is notshown but; falls within the category of partswh ich 'may be protected I andbenefitted by the improved apparatus hereinafter described. a j

point above the kiieeprefcrably by a laced band B. The upper section Cis connected to the body by a corsetor waist band C as clearly shown in-Figures 1 and 2. i

The lower sec'tion'A is disposed at the outside of'the calf of the leg with its yieldably mounted ground engaging portion 17 normally projected a slight distance below the foot or heel ofthe shoe 16,-as indicated 3 ing, said portion willengage the by dotted-lines in Figure -1, so that in walkground in advance ofthe "shoe to transfer a considerable portion of the pressure to the shoulder or body of the user.

The lower sect on A preferably comprises the upper and lowerportioiis 18 and 19, respectively, the latterbeing preferably a cast member which is recessed to receive the lower end ofthe former'to which is secured a brace bar 20 also recessed to receive the lower end of the upper section, this construction being shown in section in Figure 8. The lower end of section18 is provided with a pair of longitudinallyextending slots 21 through which extend bolts 22 which serve to connect and clamp the parts together, permitting themto be adjusted longitudinally to accommodate persons of different heights.

"The lower end of section 19 is preferably cylindrical in shape and projects into the ground engaging member 17 which is yieldably urged outwardly by spring 23 in a pocket or recess 24 of the member 19, as

shown in Figure 3. Movement of the 1 ground engaging member 17 both inwardly and'voutwardly is limited by the screws 25 threaded into" the member 19 and having their outer ends disposed in slots 26 'formed in opposite sides of the member being slotted at 28 to receive the clamping 17" as 7 shown in Figure 3. Adjustably connected with the upper end of the member 18 is a' recessed bearing plate 27 in'which the member 18 is disposed, the bearing plate screws 29. by which the bearing plateis held in any desired position of adjustment upon the section 18. The bearing plate 27 is provided at its upper end with, a circular hearing portion 30 reduced in thickness and 1 adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped bearing portion 31 of a bearing plate '32 constituting the lower end' of the intermediate section B of the crutch. The plate 32 is recessed to receive the lower end of a bar 33 of the intermediate section of-the crutch, said bar being provided with slots 34 through which project screws 35 which are threaded into the plate 32 to clamp it upon the bar. The circular bearing portions 30 and. 31 are pivotally connected by a pin or stud 36 whereby to form the flexible knee 7 joint for the crutch as best shown in l igurc 5.

The stud 36 is held against rotation by beingfix'ed to the bearing portion 31, preferably by forming a shoulder upon the stud and riveting over the head as shown in Fig ure 5. The stud pro ects through the bearing portion 30 of the bearing plate 27 and is provided with right hand threads to receive a threaded :nut 37 to which is fixed a depending arm 38 bent inwardly at its lower' end where it is connected to the bearing plate 27 preferably by means of a pin. 39 as shown in Figure 7. The arm 38 serves to prevent turning of the nut during the bend ing action of the knee in which case movement of the intermediate crutch section B relative to the section A turns the stud 36 toslightly unscrew the same, thus relieving the clamping action of the nut which binds the portions 30 and 31 of the joint together when the crutch sections are in upright posi tion, as shown in Figure 2. The bearing plates 30 and 31 are provided, respectively,

with shoulder portions 40 and 41 each of which is preferably made to frictionally engage the end of the opposite plate portion,

thereby forming a more rigid' and eifective oint which to a certain extent relieves the strain on the stud 36.

In addition to the clamping action of the nut 37, means is provided which tends to resist relative movement of the sectionsA and B from their normal alined position as shown in Figure 2. This means preferably comprises a spring pressed plunger 42 slidablegin a bearing 43 formed upon the circular plate 30 at one side of theaxis'of the stud 36, the plunger being rounded at its inner end and being disposed in a recess of the circular-plate portion 31 having an inclined surface 43 upon which the plunger rides, as shown in Figure 7. The plunger 42 is frictionallv held in engagement with the surface 43" by a spring 44 which is provided with an opening at its upper end to receive a reduced portion 45 of the plunger at'the base of which is a shoulder against which the free end of the spring is adapted to rest. The opposite end of the spring is bent inwardly. at 46 and is seated upon the bearing plate27. A. screw 47 is extended through the spring intermediate its ends and is threaded into the plate 27 whereby to support the spring which serves to urge the plunger inwardly to tlienormal locking position shown in Figure 7. In the bending of the knee joint by moving the intermediate crutch section B relative to the lower section A, the plunger is moved outwardly against the action of the spring by the inclined surface 43. sections A and B to normal position, the plunger will snap back into the recess and the parts will again become locked inalin-ed position. Y

' The pivotal joint between the upper section C of the crutch" and the intermediate section B is substantially the same as the knee joint above described, both in 'ation' and construction, and will only be referred 't'obriefiy except where the difference in construction of the parts is sufficient to require separate reference characters, like parts of the two joints being given the same reference numerals. At the hip joint the circular bearing portion 3-1 and the bearing plate 32 correspond to the parts 31. and 32 of the knee joint, said bearing plate being reversed atsaid hip joint and placed on the outside rather than the inside of the bar 38. The screws 35 take into the bar rather than into the bearing plate and the slots 34 are formed in the bearing plate rather than in the bar. H

. The upper section C of the crutch carries at its lower end a bar 48 having a circular f bearing portion 49 which is adapted to be clamped upon the circular bearing portion 31, said portions being provided respectively with annular shoulders '59 and 41* which are provided for the same purpose and which operate in the same manner as the shoulders 40 and 41 of the knee joint plates 27 and 32.

At the hip joint, the stud 51 is reversed,

' having its head fixed to the circular bearing portion 31 and its inner end threaded into nut 52 to which is rigidly secured a depending arm or plate '53 which holds the nut against turning, the plate being itself held against displacement "by a pin 54 projecting into the bar 33, as shown in Figure 5. The nut 52 normally holds the, circular bearing plates 49 and 31 cl-amped together and upon plunger 12 will move out of the conical movement of the bar 33 relative to the bar 48, as when the crutch section B is swung forwardly, the stud 51, provided with left hand threads, will be slightly unscrewed thus relieving the binding action normally afforded by the nut. At the same time the screw as in the case of the previously de- On'return of the "crutch scribed joints. Thus, the user of the crutch may readily bend" forwardly or backwardly as desired wlthout undue straln on the spinal column since the joints of the upper section will readily yield under the bending act on of the body, the flexing of any particular oint depending upon the point of movement of the body and the pressure' exerted thereby.

The upper section C ofthe crutch is preferably constructed to have a series of articulated sections, the pivot studs of which are shown at 56, 57, 58 and 59, asindicated in. Figures 9and 10. The sections between the pivotal studs, with the exception of the lower section, each comprises a single .bar or link similarly constructed, said links'being ihdicated at 48, (50, 61 and 62, as shown in.

Figures 9 and 10. The lower link prefcrably comprises the two parts as shown in Figure 10wl1ich are reduced in cross section for a portion of their length and 'adjustably clamped" together by screws 4-8 whereby the body section of the crutch may be lengthened or shortened in order to accommodate persons having long or short backs. link or section 62 is pivotally connected with the bearing plate 63 of the arm rest 64 as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The ends of the links, including the arm rest section 63,

are milled out or shaped in the samemanncr as the bearing plates of the knee and'hip The upper 7 joints described above and are free to turn on their res ective )ivots eXce t for the I P l P m resistance offered by the spring-pressed plungers 65, one of which is employed for each, joint, said plunger-s each being guided by one of the sections and normallyprojected into atapered'reces's of theother, aslshown at 66 in Figure 11. The two lower plungers 65 are yieldably held in .lockingposition by similarly constructed springs 67 having their free ends in engagement with the plungers and their opposite ends bent inwardly and adapted to rest upon the sectionsas shown in Figure 10. The springs are secured to the sections by-cscrews 68 which serve to urge the free ends of the springs inwardly so that considerable resistance is oiferedto the flexing of the joints of the crutch sec- .tion C whereby said section normally acts as a rigid support through which weight 1S transferredfrom the ground tothe shoulder of the user in order to reduce or entirely relieve the injured joints or diseased parts from strain during walking;

The two upper plungers G5 are held in their respective locking positions by the opposite ends of a spring 67; secured intermediate its ends to the outer face of the link sect-ion 62 by a screw 68 which also serves as a support for transversely extending plate 69 as shown in Figures 9and 12. The plate 69 carries a pair of projecting studs 70 which are headed to form buttons for the opposite ends of a strap 71 having slits or but-tonholes therein permitting said ends to be buttoned upon the studs as shown in Figure 2. The strap 71 preferably includes a pad 72 for use as shown in Figures 1 and 2. By the use of the strap a portion of the weight of the injured hip or thigh is transferred. to the crutch and thus the injured thigh joint or other diseased portion ofthe hip may be considerably relieved of the strains thereon. The strap in combination with the crutch permits the user to walk with a minimum amount of pressure upon patient can have the use of his legs without being preferably 'ularly adapted for carrying the diseased hip, so that the injury to the diseased parts.

The leg and waistv bands may be constructed o'i 'any suitable material and may be permanently or withthe crutch as. desired. Preferablythc upper and .lower leg bands are provided with strips 73 and 7d, respectively, which are sewed thereto to form pockets through .which the crutch'extends whereby the latter 1s braced and. held in proper posltion upon the leg.

The corset or waist band is connected with the upper section ot the crutch in any suitable manner permitting proper functiondiseased or injured hips, backs and limbs. It is effective to both support and brace the body, at the same time permitting free use of all of the various joints thereoi. The crotchstrap or sling 71' serves to suspend a portion of the weightot thebody from the crutch, thus further relieving thepressure on the injured leg or hip joint. The crutch permits'the user to sit down with ease and upon arising all of the flexed or hinged secnormally tions become alined and are automatically locked in rigid relation, one with respect to another r I claim as my invention: 7

1.. In orthopedic apparatus, a body support comprising a plurality oi articulated sections and cooperating parts serving to clamp the sections together and operating automatically to relieve the binding action thereon upon movement of the sections from normal pos1t1on. 2. Inorthopedic apparatus, a body 1 supdetachably connected port comprising oppositely disposed hinged sections including connectingparts adapted to frictionallyclamp the sections together witha binding action and arranged to relieve the binding action thereon upon swinging of one section from a predetermined position upon the other, and means for auto matically latching the sections when returned to said predetermined position. I

3. In orthopedic apparatus, a body support comprising a pair of hinged sections including a pivot member therefor rigidly connected to one of the sections, a clamping member upon the other section cooperating with the pivot member inone position of the sections to clamp themtogether and adapted upon movement of the sections fromsaid position to relieve the binding action of the clamping parts and a holding member for sa d clamping member releasably held by one of the sections.

4. In orthopedic apparatus, a bodyfsupport comprising a pair of hinged sections including apivot member therefor rigidly connected to one of the sections, a clamp ing member fixed upon the other section and cooperating with the pivot member in one position of the sections to. clamp them together and adapted upon movement of the sections from. said position to relieve the binding action of the clamping parts, and means adapted to automatically and yieldably latch the sections together when returned to said position, 7 p

5. In orthopedic apparatus, a body sup port comprising a pair of hinged sections ineluding a pivot member therefor rigidly connected to one of the sections,- a clamping member fixed upon the other section and co operating with the pivot member inone position of the sections to clamp them together and adapted upon movement of the sections from said position to relieve the binding action of the clamping parts, and a springpressed plunger carriedby one of the sections and adapted to engage the other and arranged to automatically latch and release the sections when moved to and from said clamping position. i

6. In orthopedicapparatus, a body support eluding a pivot bolt fixed to oneofthe sections and a nut threaded thereonand fixed to the other section, the nut cooperating with the bolt to clamp the sections together when the latterare in normal position and auto comprislng a pair of: hinged sectionsin matically relieving the clamping action when one section is" moved relative to the other.

7. In orthopedic apparatus, a body sup-- port comprising a pair of hingedsections,

and means for automatically latching and re leasing the sections when-moved to andfroin a predetermined position comprising a spring-pressed latch carried by one of the axis of the sectionsadapted to take into a sections in parallel relation to the pivotal mal body supporting position, and means adapted to automatlcally latch said ad acent I sections upon movement of one on the other to said normal body supporting position.

9. In orthopedic apparatus, a body'supporting crutch adapted to be secured to one side of the body and comprising lower,

upper and intermediate sections hingedly connected at the knee and hip joints, said upper section comprising a series of normally alined articulated portions, and a spring-pressed latch for each of said portions movable automatically to and trom' latching position under the bending action of the body.

10. In orthopedic apparatus, a body sup porting crutch adapted to be secured to one side of the body and comprising lower,

upper and intermediate sections hingedly connected at the knee and hip oints, said I upper section comprising a series of 1101'- mally alined' articulated portions each including automatic releasable clamping devices normally maintaining said articulated portions in alinement.

11. In orthopedic apparatus, the combination with an articulated body supporting crutch including an arm rest and means adapted to secure the crutch to the body, of a sling depending from apoint on the crutch adjacent the armrest and adapted to extend between the legs ofthe'user to form a hip support whereby the weight ofthe hip is carried by the sling. v

12. In orthopedic apparatus, the-combination of a body support comprisingan articulated crutch having spaced studs adjacent'its upper end and a sling comprising a strap" arranged to extend between the legs of the user 7 to form a hip support, and ihaving its extremities carried upwardly and detachably connected with said studs.

13. In orthopedic apparatus, a body support comprising an articulated crutch adapted to be secured to the body and ineluding a lower spring-pressed ground engaging portion movable relative to'the upper portion of the crutch arranged to engage the ground in advance of the foot.

14:. In orthopedic apparatus, the combination with a body' supporting crutch includ ing an arm rest and pivoted knee and hip joints, of a plurality of articulated sections between the arm rest and hip oint, a waist band connected with the crutch between the arm rest and hip joint and a sling depending from one of the articulated sectionsand' adapted to extend between the legs of the user to form a hip support.

15. In orthopedic apparatus, a body supporticomprising a pair of hinged sections ineluding a pivot member therefor rigidly connected to one of the sections, a clamping member on said pivot member engaging the other section'to afford a'bindingaction be- -t ween; said sections, a holding member for preventing rotation of the clamping member and means on one of the sections for ,releasably securing the holding member.

' MARTIN J. SCHRAG. 

